Computron partners with CCH for global Web-based time and expense billing system

Computron Software SA, a leading global provider of solutions for professional services organisations, has announced a partnership with JSE-listed CCH. Heads of agreement have been signed in terms of which CCH Hosted Services is appointed as Computron Software`s preferred choice of data centre to host its Web-based time and expense accounting system.

The Professional Services Automation (PSA) division of Computron focuses on delivering comprehensive solutions to professional services organisations.

These include management consulting, consulting engineers and IT services.

Computron can deliver a total enterprise resource management system for the professional services industry.

The PSA offering addresses critical functions in these organisations, including project management, skills management, resource planning, time and expense management, time/billing, financial management and document management. Computron provides all these capabilities in an integrated, browser-enabled solution.

CCH Hosted Services is South Africa`s largest and most complete provider of hosted and co-sourced IT services. Its product and service offerings include business continuity management, hosted contact centres, dotcom hosting, payment portal and application service providers.

"Analysts have deemed the professional services automation sector one of the largest opportunities in packaged software since ERP. This is also one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy," says Al Clegg, MD of Computron Software SA.

"Given how reliant professional services organisations are on management-intensive processes, automation can make a tremendous impact on their business. With the solution provided by Computron, in conjunction with our hosting partner, service organisations can leverage the proven offerings of experienced vendors to better manage their two most important assets: the time and intellectual capital of their employees."

Clegg adds: "Professional service organisations are the world`s first virtual workforce requiring the ability to connect a complex network of clients, employees, contractors and partners in a truly global environment.

Computron`s comprehensive enterprise practice management solution allows managers to control their organisations from any place, at any time, and gives consultants the same power to conduct business anywhere at any time. The solution is deployable in any of today`s popular models: in-house, Web-hosted, or ASP."

In addition, the solution is modular in nature, allowing organisations the flexibility to implement it at once or in components. Offering this solution to clients on an ASP basis opens up the market to some 400 additional professional firms in Southern Africa, who would not normally invest in such a comprehensive solution, due to the prohibitive costs of ownership of the traditional vended model.

"We can now offer this market a cost-effective model, based on a monthly service charge, according to the number of timekeepers registered on the system," says Clegg. "Computron`s global operations are ideally placed to provide those South African consulting and professional services firms setting up international and offshore subsidiaries, with in-country support and services."

Nico Meintjes, divisional director of CCH Hosted Services` data centre, says the appointment confirms CCH`s ability to participate and compete locally against international data centre specifications and criteria.

"We have spent a significant investment in leading products, solutions and architectures," says Meintjes. "Our appointment with Computron is in line with this."

"CCH is well positioned to provide extended value chain offerings to Computron by providing services from our Business Continuity, CRM Contact Centre and consulting business units," comments Cecil Roets, MD of CCH Hosted Services.

Background Information on CCH Hosted Services

CCH Hosted Services`, a Division of Johannesburg Stock Exchange Listed Computer Configuration Holdings, core offering are Business Continuity Management, hosted Contact Centre`s, Dot Com hosting, Payment Portal and Application Service Providers, focused on delivering and managing the IT component of its clients` business. These have been closely integrated to ensure a holistic value proposition. CCH Hosted Services` facilities can be accessed remotely, permitting clients nationwide - or internationally - to host their applications offsite; to have mirrored operations for immediate switchover in the event of business disruption; or to outsource / co-source their contact centre or service desk. The technologies deployed by CCH Hosted Services include System 390 mainframes, Sun and HP servers, Peregrine, Apropos and Siebel.